The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1915. AMERICA AND THE BLOCKADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 259, 12 April 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1915. AMERICA AND THE BLOCKADE.

TUc friendly tone of the American Not'! to Britain concerning the blockade against imports of food and contraband of war intended for Germany marks another step in the cordial relations existing between the two great Englishspeaking nations for the last century. It is by no moans difficult to understand ' the point of view of. the United States in connection with this matter,- for it is a question vitally affecting her trade and commerce. The American Ambassador points out the novel feature in Britain's blockade in placing neutrals under the same suspicion as the enemy, but he recognises the changes in the conditions of naval warfare since the . blockade rules were formulated, though . lie contends that if the blockade is cari ricd out in the terms of the Order-in-Council it will constitute a practical aa- , eortion of unlimited belligerent rights . over neutral commerce, and an almost • unqualified denial of neutrals' sovereign ■ rights. Diplomatic communications :>t this nature invariably take the form of presenting a case in its strongest aspect. If the truth were told there is good reason to believe that the American Government thoroughly realises the 1 necessity for Britain's action, but at . the same time arc bound to uphold the interests of the country's trade, commerce and industries. There is also equal ground for the belief that America is at heart satisfied that Britain will not act unjustly to neutrals, but the United States does not want to lose any portion of her trade with Germany, and therefore is making a show of protesting against the British blockade. No unbiassed neutral can doubt for a moment that the action of the British Government was absolutely imperative miller the circumstances. W.c have only to note the trenchant remarks of the leading newspapers in America as to the . German proclamation of a susmarfne raid on all merchant and trading ships in Britisli waters in order to ascertain the true trend of public opinion there on this monstrous declaration of war ogainst the whole world. The vigorous • 'protest made by America to Germany pointed out that the sole riglit of belligerents is limited to visit and search, ' unless a blockade is elTectively maintain - 1 ed, "which this Government does not understand is proposed in this case" ;a piece of satire that is rarely found in diplomatic Notes). The New YorkWorld says: "The German Foreign Office ndmits, from the American point of view, that certain questions raised by this Government as to Germany's proposal lo run amok are quite justilhd, yet adheres to its own point of view, which is that international law is n'nved out. It can see no reason why this should involve the United States and Germany in difficulties. Do nations go crazy?" The New York Sun says : "The contention that officers of a submarine cannot lie expected to nsee,-!;:in the identity oT neutral shios is preposterous and indefensible. Tr'Sis'i sub- I marines are hailing neu(r;il ships and stopping them every day. and r:n Gei- j man officer in his senses can plead in- I capacity, although he may fei"n it. by j obeying secret orders." Other papers \ take a similar stand, and warn Grvtnauv I G.at sln< wil! be held res- f,„- j mistakes {hat cause the j Amrri;,,,, „:eHianl shins or the loss I day hi which (he (.'.■■••man snl )T: ,,■:■„, i {cninpa : !rn starts, has bee- ,--t'r - ■'! ■ I I i "Devilry Day." It will go doun to

history as the day on which Germany finally threw over all tho restraints of civilisation and began an era of prehistoric club life, substituting the submarine for the club, but retaining all the barbaric instincts of primeval times. Ac the Morning Post remarked: "The enemy has torpedoed a whole fleet of its own battleships—the Declaration of Paris, the Declaration of London, and the Hague Conventions. These paper ships were more to Germany than her whole fleet; they protected her commerce and her food supply, and if the Government had not lost its temper they might have remained as her shield and buckler to the end of the war." The American Press seems unanimous in its condemnation of Germany's madness, and has warned Germany of the peril she runs if any ill befalls any American .citizenwhatever be the nationality of the boat by which he or'she is travelling. In the latest Note presented by America to Britain there is every evidence of a perfect understanding, and though America is evidently desirous of maintaining neutrality, there can be no doubt that she will retaliate if German piracy is permitted to injure the person or property of citizens of the United States.